Roundup: Korstin Leads Besiktas Past Cats

Ilona Korstin was at her very best, pulling down 15 rebounds to go with her 24 points in Besiktas' win over Lotto Young Cats

Russia's Ilona Korstin is a European champion and an Olympian, so she's played in plenty of big games before.

Besiktas called on her experience on Thursday and she delivered, pouring in a season-high 24 points and grabbing a career-high 15 rebounds in an 84-77 win over Lotto Young Cats.

The Belgian team, getting season highs in points (20) and rebounds (10) from their Belgian youngster Emma Meesseman, made Besiktas work until the end.

A pair of Noemie Mayombo free-throws for Young Cats cut the Besiktas lead to 68-66 with 3:07 remaining.

But Daliborka Jokic followed with a lay-up and Korstin a jumper to stretch the Turkish team's lead.

After Sofie Hendrickx hit a three-ball to cut the Besiktas lead to 72-69, Yasemin Horasan replied with a jumper and Russia international Korstin a lay-up to put Besiktas on their way to a seven-point triumph.

Besiktas moved to the top of Group B with their third win in four games and Young Cats fell to 2-2.

Optimum Ted Ankara kept pace with Nantes Reze at the top of Group C with an 83-66 triumph over Dexia Namur.

The Turkish club had crashed to a 24-point setback at Nantes last week, and the French club won their game this week against AD Vagos.

For Ankara on Thursday, Gülsah Akkaya poured in 18 points.

The winners had a 45-29 lead by half-time.

There were two other games played in Turkey.

In Group F, Kayseri Kaskispor took on Maccabi Bnot.

The Kayseri outfit raced into a 22-11 lead by the end of the opening quarter and cruised to an 85-74 triumph.